TheBanyanTree: Renrat Chronicles 0f 2016 volume 1

[Dale M. Parish]

Encores are always in demand after a brief absence.  Rest up and enjoy the show from the other side for a while.

Hugs,
Dale

> -----Original Message-----
> From: TheBanyanTree [mailto:thebanyantree-bounces at lists.remsset.com]
> On Behalf Of Russ Doden
> Sent: Monday, May 02, 2016 12:31
> To: The Banyan Tree
> Subject: TheBanyanTree: Renrat Chronicles 0f 2016 volume 1
> 
> Hail and well met once again!
> 
> Once again, your not so humble (or sane) scribe will try to report the goings
> on at the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival.  This past Saturday marked the
> kick-off of the 2016 run of this grand event.  This is the 21st year for this
> particular bit of insanity.  It boggles me mind to realize that I have attended
> this event every year either as a cast member, booth person, or (mostly) as a
> performer (so called musician).
> 
> Last year was known as the year of the rains.  It rained nearly every weekend
> last year.  For whatever reason the gods chose, it looked like it was going to
> pick up right where it left off!  There was much wailing and moaning when
> Friday night the sky came unzipped with rain coming down in buckets,
> accompanied by much sound and light from lightening and thunder.  This was
> altogether unnecessary in our opinion, but it was what it was.  Much to our
> relief the rains stopped in the wee hours of the morning leaving the grounds
> wet . . . OK, many areas were a bog.  At least the wet was staying on the
> ground and not in the sky.
> 
> The first weekend is always a time of merriment and seeing many friends not
> seen for the past year.  Many of the people I enjoy there are not part of my
> regular circle.  This is either due to distance (some travel great distances to
> participate) or other factors.  It is sometimes a challenge to focus on the
> other patrons that are there when a long time friend comes into view!
> 
> I am once again the third member of the duo The Bedlam Bards.  We are
> known for our gawd awful dirty songs in the Black Boar pub in the afternoon,
> but we do play sweet and silly songs at the Hidden Grove stage in the
> morning and kick off the pub sing at the Crown Inn about 4:45.  It is an
> aggressive schedule, but it does leave time to play with the patrons and rest
> between sets.
> 
> As always there was much merriment throughout the day with much
> laughter and silliness as well as some wondrous conversations.
> 
> I am thinking very strongly that this will be my “Farewell Tour” as a performer
> with The Bedlam Bards.  It just takes so much out of me, and I just don’t
> bounce back like I did in years past.  Many fans seemed to be seriously
> concerned but were very supportive when told that it wasn’t because of
> health as much as other opportunities being offered that are more in line
> with my main interests.
> 
> Mostly I'm taking it kind of easy today.  My hips were NOT amused with the
> demands placed on them.  I have learned though that it is acceptable to "play
> the old guy card" and not walk the noon parade, or participate in the
> activities at closing.  That made a big difference, plus, I was sitting down as
> much as possible between sets.  That too helped a great deal.  In talking to a
> few other "old timers" I'm finding that I may not be the only one viewing this
> as their "farewell tour" this year.  Several others are realizing that it is time to
> hang up their spurs due to the demands on the bod.
> 
>  Till next time fare the well wherever you may go,
> 
> Andrus of the Bedlam Bards
> 
> Aka Russ
> 
> --
> Enjoy Life By Living In Joy
> 
> Well Being Consultant
> www.rldwbc.com